Yearly Archives:: 2014

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Review: Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander

Posted by 11 Comments

I received this book for free from Entangled Teen in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee AlexanderLove and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander
Published by Entangled Teen on October 7th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, YA
Source: Entangled Teen
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck.

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy.

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

Love and Other Unknown Variables ended up being a much more emotional read than I expected, and one that has substance and depth. Not the fluffy story I somehow expected after seeing this cover and blurb (which, to be fair, I only skimmed). There were things that were a tad annoying like the prank story arc, but aside from that it was a really good read.

We’re treated to a brilliant, literal narrator, Charlie, who, despite his genius level of intelligence, can be very oblivious and awkward especially in social and romantic situations. This makes for a very endearing read at times, and humorous at others. I loved his bluntness and no-bull way of thinking. I also loved that even if he was socially inept when it came to girls, he would still risk it and just see what happens. It wasn’t the kind of read where you’re rolling your eyes at the shy narrator who’s too awkward to make a move, frustratingly letting opportunity slide by. His character is also very real and very easy to like. He’s written as this average high school teenager at heart, despite his being in the “smart school” and already having his future mapped out. The secondary characters are also given realistic, open personalities. Personalities that really give the book some extra life and a bigger heart. I loved how supportive his friends were, and I especially enjoyed the stability they offered in his life. There’s no angst or fruitless drama. His best friends are a couple, and they’re his friends. And that is that. What I liked even more, though, is seeing Charlie form a bond with his sister. I love it when sibling relationships and shown with such authenticity in books.

I’m not saying there isn’t any fruitless happenings at all, however. The school they attend has this reputation of pranking their English teacher until the latter quits. Their teacher this summer is none other than the love interest’s sister. Even though it had me rolling my eyes at first, you do eventually realize that these ridiculous and sometimes mean pranks work well to show us how one’s perspective can change in an instant. When Charlie finds out the real reason why Charlotte needs her sister distracted, the book suddenly becomes way more intense. Proving the pranks to be silly and immature in the face of such a real, heartbreaking monster. We literally see Charlie becoming more mature; he grows up before our eyes, and it’s sad in a way – to have to go through such an emotional ordeal so young in life.

One might say that getting attached so young is impossible, yet this author makes us believe in Charlie and Charlotte’s connection. Being in Charlie’s head, we can see how much of an affect she has in him. How much she has changed him, made him a better person, a person who is likely to take bigger chances. A person who knows what really matters in life. To not fear change. Sometimes, it takes some ugliness to show us what’s really important. I love this book for what it ended up being. I love it for taking an ugly subject and giving us a beautiful story. I’d recommend it to fans of John Green and Gayle Forman.

four-stars

4 Hot Espressos

Audiobook Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Audiobook Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Posted by on 11/12/2014 • 13 Comments

This was such a fun audiobook to listen to. It was a full cast which really made the book come to life. Not only was it a full cast audio, it also had sound effects and music. Each of the narrators did fabulous at the various characters. This book was fun and a bit creepy. Made more creepy by the audio at certain points. Nobody Owens was such a great character and I loved “reading” about him growing up in the graveyard and how he feels about the world outside the graveyard. He has been raised in the graveyard by ghosts ever since he was a baby and his family was murdered. This was one of the coolest audiobooks I have listened to.

Nobody Owens is a character who goes…

Review: Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Review: Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Posted by on 11/11/2014 • 31 Comments

The Helsing Corps only showed up when someone didn’t stay dead.

Do you hear that? Those are the sounds of my tears dropping, because shit just got serious, and I am overwhelmed with emotions over the fact that YA does know how to write a horror-filled, action-packed book. I nearly gave up! Hallelujah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

If you liked Fatal Frame, you would like this. Even though I only played 15 minutes of that game, it was enough to permanently scar my brain for the rest of my life. Everything was going so well with the slow prologue, and then a ghost appeared from out of nowhere and I threw my Playstation controller at the TV and ran out of the room like shrieking like a baby (I am not kidding. My little brother…

Sneak Peek + Giveaway: Court by Cat Patrick

Sneak Peek + Giveaway: Court by Cat Patrick

Posted by on 11/10/2014 • 5 Comments

I  really enjoyed Cat Patrick’s Just Like Fate when I read it a year ago, so I’m excited to be a part of her sneak peek tour today where you can get a glimpse at her newest novel, Court, as well as enter to win!

Sneak Peek

MARY

No matter how much money was in their family bank, every kid in Eurus had a place at the in-Realm college. It was in the bylaws. Of course, most of the courtiers bought their way out to better schools in the Democracy and beyond.

“Giddap,” Mary said firmly as she drove the heels of her boots into Carrot’s burnt-orange sides. Her faithful friend dove headfirst into the wind and somehow gained speed, forcing tears from Mary’s light green…

Amy’s Stacking the Shelves 11/9/14

Amy’s Stacking the Shelves 11/9/14

Posted by on 11/09/2014 • 11 Comments

Hello!! My first StS post on Xpresso Reads!! It has actually been over a month since I have done any type of book haul post, so I have a lot. I am going to stick to just physical copies I got for this since if I add ebooks it will just be ridiculous. I usually do Vlogs, but I am rushing out to go to a book signing, so I decided to just do pics for this one.

I am really excited to read all of these!!

Beastkeeper by Cat Hellisen Into the Night by Suzanne Rigdon Alex as Well by Alyssa Brugman There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake Dream A Little Dream by Kerstin Gier Cut Me Free…

Fresh Batch (New Releases November 9th – 15th)

Fresh Batch (New Releases November 9th – 15th)

Posted by on 11/08/2014 • 7 Comments

Fresh Batch, posted weekly, keeps you up to date on the hottest releases of the upcoming week.

Flavor of the week:

Love, in Spanish Karina Halle Series: LIE #2 Publication date: November 11th 2014 by Metal Blonde Books

Goodreads Purchase

The companion to the highly emotional, scandalous and USA Today Bestselling love story – LOVE, IN ENGLISH – is finally here! Love, in Spanish is a Love, in English follow-up novel told from Mateo Casalles’ POV. While Love, in Spanish touches on some events that happened in LIE (you know the ones!) it is a whole new story set a year later that continues with Vera and Mateo’s “happily ever after.” Note: It should be read after Love, in English and it is mostly…

Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Posted by on 11/07/2014 • 13 Comments

There is a lot I could complain about with this book, but I was still strangely entertained by it all. I also think the fact that it was an audiobook made me enjoy it more than if I had read a paper copy – the narrator was great and really brought the MC to life. As if she was telling me her story.

But man, the romance. *pokes out eyeballs*. First, I’m sorry but that was totally Stockholm Syndrome. Or at least it started that way, which creeped me out more than it made me swoon. This dude is forcing you to bring his criminal ass back to civilization so he can run from the cops, but you fall for his charms because he’s hot? Eh, okay.. But anyways, I’m…

Review: Rites of Passage by Joy N Hensley

Review: Rites of Passage by Joy N Hensley

Posted by on 11/06/2014 • 17 Comments

It’s been a while since I listened to a good audiobook. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Not only was the book itself great, but the narrator was perfect for it. In this day and age we don’t think as much about gender equality as we used to, but gender roles sadly do still exist. I love that this was a YA book that explored that, and shows a strong female character fighting for what is right. Not only for herself, but for others to follow. I love a good military story, and this one was great. I think it was enhanced by the audio since it really helped to put the emotion of the characters center stage. I wouldn’t say this was full of action, but there was…